How to Format Columns in VDM

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Article Goal

Learn how to format columns in VDM Data Grids, including how to apply, remove, and save formatting settings for future use.

What is Column Formatting?

Column formatting in VDM allows users to customize how data is displayed in the Data Grid. You can apply formatting types (such as currency or percentages), rename columns, and hide or unhide specific columns—all without modifying the underlying data.

Why Use Column Formatting?

Formatting columns helps improve the readability and clarity of your data view. It also makes reports more user-friendly by:

• Presenting values in meaningful formats (like dates or currency)

• Customizing column headers for clarity

• Hiding irrelevant or auxiliary columns

Example Use Case

You have a Total_Sales column displayed as plain numbers. By applying currency formatting, you can display these values with dollar signs and decimals. You can also rename the column to Sales Total and hide the Sales_ID column if it’s not needed for end-user reporting.

Video Tutorial

Steps to Format Columns in the Data Grid

Step 1: Open Your View in VDM

Launch VDM, open the View where you want to apply column formatting, and run it to display the data.

Step 2: Locate and Right-Click a Column Value

Click any value in the column you want to format, then right-click to open the context menu.

Step 3: Select "Format Column"

Hover over Format Column to view available formatting options (e.g., currency, percent, number, or date).

Tip: Select None from the Format Column menu to remove any previously applied formatting.

Step 4: Change Column Name or Visibility (Optional)

You can also:

• Rename the column header to make it more descriptive
• Hide or unhide columns to simplify your view

Step 5: Save or Remember Formatting (Optional)

After applying formatting:

• VDM retains the formatting for the current view session
• You will be prompted to save the formatting for future use

Important:
If you choose to save the format, it will be applied anytime that specific field appears in any view.

Example Output

Article Summary

Column formatting in VDM provides a simple way to enhance the readability and presentation of data in your Data Grid. With just a few clicks, you can change how data is displayed, hide or rename columns, and optionally remember those choices across multiple views. This feature is ideal for improving usability without altering your source data.